NHTSA Complaint #10116006 — 1993 DODGE CARAVAN

ON THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH, 2005 MY MOTHER BACKED HER 1993 DODGE CARAVAN INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND BUMPED INTO HER FENCE BREAKING THE LENS ON THE TURN SIGNAL. AS IT WAS COMING INTO A LONG WEEKEND WITH BUSINESS SHUT DOWN, SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT INSIDE TO CONTACT HER MECHANIC TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REPAIRED. AS SHE SPOKE ON THE PHONE, SHE GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW AND OBSERVED A PLUME OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. SHE IMMEDIATELY RUSHED OUT AND FOUND A SMALL FLAME IN THE AREA OF THE BROKEN LENS. SHE PACKED IT WITH SNOW AND WENT BACK TO HER CALL TO THE MECHANIC TO ARRANGE A TIME FOR THE REPAIR AND TO DISCUSS WHAT JUST HAPPENED. DURING THIS CONVERSATION SHE AGAIN NOTICED A PLUME (MUCH LARGER AND DARKER) RISING FROM THE VAN. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO RESPONDED QUICKLY, HOWEVER THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT INTENSE HEAT. HER INSURANCE AGENT HAS SINCE "WRITTEN THE VEHICLE OFF" AND IS OFFERING $1500.00 (CDN) TO SETTLE. FORTUNATELY SHE DID NOT SIMPLY ATTEMPT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT TO HER MECHANIC FOR THE REPAIRS OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE.